As Johnson heads across the Atlantic, travel firms have enjoyed “soaring” bookings since the government’s announcement on changing the rules for international travel on Friday (17 September).
Elsewhere, La Palma in the Canary Islands has been hit by the eruption of a volcano, and there are grim warnings from retailers about the impact of business rates.
Here are the key travel headlines the country woke up to Monday (20 September).
Johnson to press US to open up to UK visitors
Boris Johnson will try to persuade US president Joe Biden to change travel rules to allow Britons to visit the US when the two leaders meet at the White House for the first time on Tuesday (21 September). Johnson is expected to make an “impassioned” plea for the lifting of the current travel ban on Brits. (The Telegraph)
Holiday bookings soar after ministers axe traffic light system
Holiday bookings took off over the weekend after “punitive” travel restrictions were finally lifted. Within minutes of the official announcement on Friday (17 September), agents were “deluged” with enquiries - demand for October half-term trips was said to be around three times higher than in August as firms slashed prices. (The Daily Mail)
UK should have ‘improved’ PCR testing system for travellers
The government should have tried to improve the testing system for international travel, instead of “abandoning it entirely”, a government scientific adviser has argued. Professor Stephen Reicher said PCR tests were “very valuable” in identifying asymptomatic Covid-19 cases, despite the UK’s “dysfunctional” testing system. (The Independent)
Residents forced to flee homes as volcano erupts on Canary Island
An eruption of a volcano on La Palma in the Canaries has caused around 5,000 people to be evacuated from their homes in two nearby villages in the south of the island after lava began shooting into the air. (The Guardian)
Stores will shut without business rates reform
The British Retail Consortium has warned that four out of five high street shops could close permanently if the government does not reform the “broken” business rates system. Some 83% of retailers said they would have to close some of their outlets unless there were changes to the tax. (The Times)
Govt considering loans for energy firms as gas prices ‘surge’
The government may offer emergency state-backed loans to some energy companies as firms battle to stay afloat amid surging gas prices. Smaller suppliers face failure due to a price spike in the global gas market, which has made their price promises to customers “undeliverable”. (BBC News)
